Welcome to BECWeb
This is the web portal for the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) and Ecology Research program of the British Columbia.
This website is the source for information about the BEC system and access point for current and historical reports, maps, software, and other products of the program.
NEW
Regional BEC updates can be found on the Current Projects page.
These documents outline recent and anticipated changes to biogeoclimatic mapping and site classifications.
Version 12 of the Biogeoclimatic Subzone/Variant (BGC) Mapping will be released (August 2021). Version 12 includes mapping changes implemented for the LMH75 & 76 field guide for the Southern Interior (see below) and woodland mapping in the Skeena Region.
Some New Reports for 2021 - 2023
Click report image thumbnail to download
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Forest Ecology and Management 481. An ecological approach to climate change-informed tree species selection for reforestation (Preprint version). Accounting for climate change in reforestation practices has the potential to be one of the most efficacious adaptation strategies for maintaining future forest ecosystem services. In this research paper we describe a practitioner-focused climate change informed tree species selection (CCISS) model to support reforestation decisions in British Columbia (BC). |
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LMH#76 A Field Guide to Ecosystem Classification and Identification for the Southern Thompson-Okanagan. This field guide presents new forest and non-forest site classifications for biogeoclimatic subzones/variants of the southern Thompson-Okanagan region. This field guide replaces the units previously published in LMH23 (Lloyd et al. 1990) for geographic areas covered by the new field guide. |
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LMH#26_Supplement #2 A Field Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation within the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Woodland Subzones of the Skeena Region This field guide presents new forest site classifications for high elevation Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir biogeoclimatic subzones termed “Woodland”. These subzones primarily occur in the Skeena Region but also include portions in the Omineca and West Coast Regions. |
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LMH#75 A Field Guide to Ecosystem Classification and Identification for SE British Columbia - Volume 3: Boundary–Eastern Okanagan–Shuswap–Southern Arrow. This field guide presents new forest and non-forest site classifications for biogeoclimatic subzones/variants in the Boundary, eastern Okanagan, Shuswap, and southern Arrow areas of the Kootenay-Boundary and Thompson-Okanagan Regions. It replaces the relevant classifications previously published in LMH 20 and LMH23. It is accompanied by the release of BEC version 12 mapping.
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TR#080 Natural Distubance Bibliography for British Columbia This bibliography consists of journal articles, reports, conference papers, and theses that address natural disturbance regimes in British Columbia. The emphasis is on wildfire, but wind, insects, and diseases are also included to some extent. The entries are organized by biogeoclimatic zone, and where more than one zone is addressed by an entry it is repeated for each zone. Click image to go to download page. |
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Development of a Climate Change Index of Stress Using Future Projected BEC: Proof of Concept for the Nadina TSA This study investigated methods of using 1) community similarity between current and projected future plant communities as an indicator of ecosystem stress due to climate change, and 2) geographic distance to climatically-suited species as an indicator of potential recovery. We analysed potential shifts in plant communities under three climate-change scenarios in the Nadina Forest District in Central BC. Click image to go to download PDF. |
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Extension Note 106 New coding schemes for BEC site units. This extension note outlines a new standard coding system for site series introduced or revised after March 31, 2010. In addition, coding systems for site units representing non-forested ecosystems and for immature (seral) ecosystems are presented. Click image to go to download source. |
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Brochure 89 BEC and climate change Climate change is one of the most important issues facing resource managers planning for the future. Predicted changes in climate may significantly impact the distribution and productivity of plants, animals, and ecosystems. So how will the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC), where vegetation is a central feature in defining ecosystems, remain useful in this changing environment? Click image to go to download source. |
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BC JEM Article - Corroboration of BEC climate zonation by spatially modelled climate data The BEC method for distinguishing areas of
homogeneous macroclimate has been used in British Columbia for over 20 years. Because of the paucity of |